Trump Announcing End of Israeli Military Assistance Won't Mollify Anti-Semites Like Congresswoman-Elect Chevalier

Yesterday, as Americans were voting in the midterms, President Trump blurted out that the United States would cease sending military aid to Israel at the end of the year.

Trump claimed this was mutually agreed to decision with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Whether it is or it isn't, one of Trump's rationales simply doesn't hold water.

Trump argues that ending military aid to Israel will end "a bad talking point."

It will do no such thing.

On the contrary, anti-Semites now smell blood in the water.

Case in point is New York Congresswoman-elect Darializa Avila Chevalier.

Ending military aid is not enough.

We need to end US taxpayer funding for Israel’s war crimes, a full arms embargo, and the Palestinian right of return.

In other words, Chevalier is seeking to bring Israel to an end, a violent end if necessary.

Let us remember the day after October 7th, Chevalier attended a pro-Hamas celebration of the massacre in Times Square sponsored by the DSA. Her attendance at this event was praised by none other than NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani. 

Trump is a fool if he thinks ending aid to Israel is going to end anti-Israel and anti-Semitic hate.

It is one thing if Israeli civil society were to be broadly in favor of ending U.S. military aid for the sake of greater autonomy in military affairs. It is another if the policy is implemented to mollify anti-Semites. 

Those who espouse the hatred of anti-Semitism such as Congresswoman-elect Chevalier, Mayor Mamdani and, for that matter, Senator-elect El-Sayed cannot be mollified nor are they amenable to moderation or reason. 

After 30 Years in The Senate, Collins Concedes to Jackson in Maine

Holy poop on a stick!!!

After 30 years in the Senate, Susan Collins will soon be out of office as she has conceded to Democrat Troy Jackson. 

With just over 72% of the vote counted, Collins trails Jackson by more than 6 points.

Still, I am a little surprised Collins conceded. Maybe she just doesn't want to continue with her party now in the minority.

As of this writing, Democrats have gained 7 Senate seats - North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Kansas, Iowa and now Maine. They only needed to gain four seats and not lose any of their incumbents. 

Well, I think it's time for me to go to bed.

Iowa Voters Do The Democrat Daily Double Electing Turek to Senate & Sand as Governor

(Senator-elect Josh Turek and Governor-elect Rob Sand)

On Tuesday evening, we saw both Ohio and Texas flip both their gubernatorial and Senate seats from Republican to Democrat.

Voters in Iowa also did the Democrat daily double electing Josh Turek to the Senate and Rob Sand as Governor. 

With 96.6% of the vote counted, Turek, an Iowa State Rep. and former Paralympian, defeated Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson winning 50.5% of the vote compared to 46.4%.

Meanwhile, Sand won his race even more decisively winning 56.1% of the vote versus 43.9% for Republican Zach Lahn with just over 94% of the vote counted. 

Turek becomes the first Democrat elected to the Senate in Iowa since Tom Harkin won his fifth and final term in 2008 while Sand is the first Democrat elected Governor in Iowa since Chet Culver in 2006. 

Considering that President Trump carried Iowa by 13 points only two years this is a reversal of fortune every bit as remarkable as Ohio and Texas.

Adam Hamilton Becomes 1st Democrat Kansas Voters Have Elected to The Senate Since 1932

 

With 93% of the vote counted, Kansas voters have elected Democratic candidate Adam Hamilton to the Senate ousting Republican incumbent Roger Marshall. 

While Kansas voters will elect Democratic voters, it marks the first time a Democrat has been elected to the Senate in Kansas since 1932.

Marshall, an OBGYN, became notorious for suing his patients resulting in some of them being jailed and reveled in it.

It could literally be said that Hamilton was on a mission from G-d as he is the leader of the largest Methodist congregation in the country. 

This is an astonishing night for Democrats and it is not yet over.

A Blue Wave in Texas - Talarico Beats Paxton for Senate While Hinojosa Ousts Abbott as Governor

 

Texas has truly undergone a Blue Wave.

As widely expected, Texas voters elected Democrat James Talarico over Republican Ken Paxton. With 68.2% of the vote counted, Talarico has trounced Paxton by nearly 20 points. 

What was not so widely expected was Democrat Gina Hinojosa trounce three term Republican Governor Greg Abbott. With just under 70% of the vote in, Hinojosa has earned 56.7% of the vote versus 42% of for Abbott. Texas Democrats have been coveting a Blue Wave from the likes of Wendy Davis, Beto O'Rourke to Collin Allred for quite some time.

Of course, it was Trump who insisted that Republican nominate Paxton over four term Senator John Cornyn. But the fact that Abbott got ousted as well demonstrates tonight's results goes beyond Trump. 

Talarico is the first Democrat elected to the Senate since Lloyd Bentsen in 1988 while Hinojosa is the first Democratic Governor since Ann Richards in 1990.

Ohio Voters Elect Democrat Amy Acton as Governor & Return Sherrod Brown to Senate

With 87% of the vote counted, Ohio voters have elected Amy Acton to be their next Governor. Acton earned 50.9% of the vote compared to 45.7% for Republican Vivek Ramaswamy. 

It is the first time Ohio voters have elected a Democratic Governor since Ted Strickland in 2006. For the context of this race, Ramaswamy went out of his way to display his indecency as compared to Acton's commitment to public service during the COVID pandemic. 

Ohio voters have also returned Sherrod Brown to the Senate. Brown lost his Senate seat to Republican Bernie Moreno in 2024. With 87.3% of the vote counted, Brown earned 48.6% versus 46.5% of the vote of Jon Husted who succeeded now Vice-President JD Vance in the Senate.

In recent years, Ohio had become a reliable red state. At least for the moment, Buckeye voters have told Republicans to buck off.

South Carolina Voters Elect Democrat Annie Andrews to Senate

 

South Carolina voters have elected Democrat Annie Andrews to the U.S. Senate. Andrews defeated Darline Graham, the sister of the late Lindsey Graham.

With 93% of the vote counted, Andrews earned 50.6% of the vote versus 47.2% for Graham.

Following Graham's sudden death in July, South Carolina Republicans nominated his sister over Republican Congressman Ralph Norman mainly at the behest of President Trump.

Graham simply did not have her brother's political talents and didn't help her cause when she said, "National security is not my thing."  The younger Graham also came across as sullen and abrasive while Andrews, a pediatrician, came across as competent, prepared and reasonable. 

As with Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia, Andrews is the first Democrat to be elected to the U.S. Senate since 1998 back in the days of Fritz Hollings.

As of this writing, Democrats have flipped North Carolina and South Carolina and only need to flip two more seats (assuming they don't lose any seats) to gain control of the U.S. Senate.

In Georgia, Keisha Lance Bottoms Becomes First African American Woman Elected Governor in U.S. History

While most voters in Georgia are focused on Jon Ossoff's re-election to the Senate given the perception of him as a Democratic presidential candidate, history has been made in its gubernatorial race with the election of former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms the state's next Governor. With just under 80% of the vote reporting, Bottoms has earned 54.5% of the vote versus 45.5% for Republican Rick Jackson.

After 250 plus years, a U.S. state has elected an African American woman to govern them. 

This is absolutely remarkable and absolutely long overdue. 

I have admired Bottoms from afar and during the brief time I lived in the city. Hell, I remember when I wanted Joe Biden to pick her as his running mate.

Of course, Stacy Abrams laid the groundwork for Bottoms' rise to the top this evening back in 2018 and in 2022. But Bottoms brings plenty to the table in her own right. Let us also keep in mind this is the first time Georgia voters have elected a Democratic Governor since 1998.

We are going to hear a lot more from Keisha Lance Bottoms for many years to come.

Mariners Take Chance on Kanzler as New Manager

The Seattle Mariners have hired Jason Kanzler to be their new manager. 

This is the first time Kanzler has managed at any level other than at the high school level. Kanzler, 36, spent the past three seasons as the Director of the Player Development for the Chicago Cubs.

Prior to joining the Cubs, Kanzler had spent five seasons with the Houston Astros organization including two seasons as part of the big-league coaching staff under the tutelage of Dusty Baker. Kanzler would earn a World Series ring while with the Astros in 2022. He beat out Joe Espada, who was Baker's successor in Houston despite reaching the post-season with a .500 club.

Of further note, Kanzler also spent three seasons as a minor league outfielder with the Minnesota Twins organization. 

Kanzler succeeds Dan Wilson who was let go at the end of the season when he could not lead the team to replicate its success in 2025 when they went to the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Can the Mariners rebound under a fresh face in 2027 in a relatively weak AL West? Or will Kanzler be expected to lead a rebuild of the team?

As with most first time MLB managers, Kanzler is an unknown quantity. But this is especially true in Kanzler who has never previously managed at the professional level. In some ways, Kanzler is as risky a hire as the San Francisco Giants hiring collegiate coach Tony Vitello. Thus far, Buster Posey's hire hasn't paid dividends, but next season need not be this season.

Unlike Vitello, Kanzler has spent time in a big-league dugout and knows the thrill of a World Series triumph. In which case, let's keep our minds open.

Thoughts on Bruce Springsteen's Endorsement of El-Sayed

 

On Monday, the day before midterm elections, Bruce Springsteen took to social media to endorse Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed:

Dr. El-Sayed is a fighter for our American Constitution, he’s a fighter for our American Democracy, and he’s a fighter against the corrupt, lawless, and anti-American leadership currently in the White House. That’s why I’m in his corner 100%.

Needless to say, when I think of El-Sayed, defender of the U.S. Constitution and democracy do not come to mind let alone being a bulwark against President Trump. When considering the latter, El-Sayed supported the Uncommitted movement which resulted in Trump winning Michigan in 2024.

Nevertheless, considering that Springsteen usually lends his name to Democratic presidential candidates, it is a noteworthy endorsement. Whether this will matter much in tomorrow's election remains to be seen whatever the outcome. But if El-Sayed does prevail then The Boss will have jumped on the bandwagon.

Whatever his reasons, I am profoundly disappointed. It makes me wonder what Springsteen thinks of Jews and Israel. Maybe I don't want to know.

Should El-Sayed win tomorrow, he will be elevated into a presidential candidate even before he is sworn into the Senate. Perhaps he will be a one term Senator before setting his sights on the White House in 2032 regardless of who is in the White House. Yet given the speed at which things move these days, it wouldn't shock me if he were to become a presidential contender in 2028 with a Senate seat being little more than a steppingstone.

With all that said, the votes have not been cast much less counted. It is still possible El-Sayed could find himself on the losing end of this race having alienated a sufficient number of Jewish and African American voters in Michigan. No endorsement of El-Sayed, not even one from Bruce Springsteen, would be sufficient to alleviate the alienation.

My Thoughts on Karl Bushby & The Longest Walk

(YouTube screenshot of Karl Bushby reuniting with his mother, Angela, in Kington-Upon-Hull, U.K. for the first time since 1998)

I must admit that until a few days ago, I was not aware of Karl Bushby's near three-decade mission to walk the Earth as part of his Goliath Expedition.

Today, Bushby returned to his Kingston-Upon-Hull home where he saw his mother for the first time since 1998.

He started this journey when he was 29. He is now 57. This walk took nearly half his lifetime.

His journey home started from the southernmost point in Chile making his way north up South America into Central America, North America, Russia, Central Asia, Europe and finally back to the U.K. 

Bushby expected to have completed this journey in half the time, but well walking the Earth isn't so easy. Some of the obstacles Bushby ran into were lack of funds, not having the proper visas necessary to travel on his route, being arrested and detained and then throw in a global pandemic into the mix. This doesn't include having to navigate rough terrain, inclement weather, isolation, scarcity of food and medicine and heaven forbid you get sick or injured. 

In Bushby's case, his military experience as a paratrooper sure came in handy. If nothing else, one learns to be resourceful with very little at hand. But even the heartiest among us have their limits.

While one has to admire Bushby's spirit, I cannot help but think of his mother who hadn't seen him for all these years. She must have wondered almost every day if she would ever see him again. While I am sure that he kept in touch with her by phone, email and regular mail, I think you can make the case that she had a more arduous journey than he did.

I can only hope that Bushby spends some quality time with his mother not to mention the son he scarcely knows and a 12-year-old granddaughter he only met today. Bushby will be embarking upon a speaking tour around the U.K. later this month. One would hope his family will be welcome to join him on this journey.

Given that Bushby has spent nearly half his life as a wayfaring vagabond, I cannot help but wonder how long it will be before he decides to embark upon another mission. If he does, I suspect that it will likely be the last time he ever sees his family.

Thoughts on Haley Stevens' Endorsement of Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate Race

(YouTube screenshot of Mike Rogers & Haley Stevens on November 1, 2026)

Only 48 hours before Michigan voters go to the polls, Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens shocked the world by publicly endorsing Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers.

Back in August, Stevens narrowly lost the Democratic Senate primary to Abdul El-Sayed but had committed to supporting him. In fact, Stevens was set to campaign with El-Sayed today but El-Sayed demanded Stevens stay away from the "unity rally" when she criticized the presence of Tucker Carlson in one of his campaign ads and his less than forceful condemnation of an anti-Semitic third-party made in support of his candidacy. 

Well, Stevens took his advice to stay away and decided to endorse Rogers, something her fiancé Jason Turkish publicly did last week. 

Good for her.

In the grand scheme of things, Stevens would have been better off not making any commitment to endorse El-Sayed and tried to make him earn her support. Had he failed to do so, Stevens could have endorsed Rogers earlier in the campaign and say that El-Sayed had failed to take her concerns seriously. 

Of course, I say this knowing full well that any decision by Stevens to support Rogers would have been met with recriminations. As it stands, much of Stevens' staff has tendered their resignations with the chair of the Michigan Democratic Party announcing she had been expelled from the party despite the fact that she intends to vote for other Democrats on the ballot. Presumably this would include such as Michigan Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson who is running against Republican Congressman John James. 

As you can imagine, the Democratic Party podcastverse is absolutely aghast. While I think Pod Save America, The Bulwark and James Carville are absolutely right that Stevens has ended her political career as a Democrat, I think they are worried that Rogers is going to win. 

What Stevens' late hour endorsement of Rogers does is give Jews and African Americans who normally vote Democrat a permission structure to vote for Rogers. It might not be a majority of Jewish and African American voters, but it could be enough for Rogers to defeat El-Sayed. 

This is why Democrats are so angry with Stevens. If Stevens' endorsement of Rogers was of no consequence and El-Sayed had a guaranteed path towards victory, Democrats would not have such a visceral reaction.

It isn't to say that Stevens' endorsement of Rogers guarantees him victory either. But Rogers certainly has a better chance today than he did 24 hours ago.

Jerry Koosman Was The Greatest Left-Handed Pitcher in Mets History

Former MLB pitcher Jerry Koosman, who spent the bulk of his career with the New York Mets, passed away today at the age of 83.

A native of Minnesota, Koosman was signed by the Mets in 1964 while pitching for the Army at Fort Bliss. His catcher was John Luchese whose father worked as an usher at Shea Stadium and alerted his father of his Army buddy's talent.

Koosman would make his MLB debut with the Mets during the 1967 season pitching in 9 games. But his breakthrough would come the following year when Koosman finished up runner up in NL Rookie of the Year balloting to Cincinnati Reds legend Johnny Bench. Koosman went 19-12 with a 2.08 ERA with 178 strikeouts in 263.2 innings pitched in 35 appearances (34 of them starts along with 17 complete games including 7 shutouts) earning a NL All-Star Game selection.

The Mets now had a one-two punch at the top of their starting rotation with Koosman being a strong number two starter to their ace Tom Seaver and things would only get better in 1969. Of course, 1969 was the year of the Amazin' Mets going all the way to win the World Series. That season, Koosman went 17-9 with a 2.28 ERA with 180 strikeouts in 241 innings pitched over 32 starts with 16 complete games including 6 shutouts and a second consecutive NL All-Star Team appearance. Koosman was the winning pitcher in both Game 2 and the clinching Game 5 of the World Series against the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles.

Koosman was also a critical member of the 1973 "Ya Gotta Believe" Mets who managed to go from last place to first place in the NL East in the final month of the season. From there, they upset the heavily favored Big Red Machine in the NLCS before taking the defending World Series champion Oakland A's to 7 games. Although Koosman had a losing 14-15 record during the '73 season, his ERA was a sterling 2.84. Koosman would earn a complete game win in Game 3 of the '73 NLCS and would also combine with Tug McGraw on a 3-hit shutout in Game 5 of the World Series.

In 1976, Koosman would have his finest individual season in a Mets uniform when he earned a career high 21 wins with a 2.69 ERA, matched his career high of 17 complete games and a career best 200 strikeouts. Koosman would finish runner up to San Diego Padres ace Randy Jones in NL Cy Young balloting that season.

But how fortunes can fall. In 1977, Koosman went from being a 20-game winner to a 20-game loser. In a season which saw Tom Seaver traded to the Reds, Koosman went 8-20 albeit with a decent 3.49 ERA. Still, he tied with future Hall of Famer Phil Niekro for the most losses in the NL that season. Things didn't get better in 1978 as he fell to 3-15. While his 3.75 ERA wasn't bad, Koosman would be sent to the bullpen late that season for the first time in his career.

Koosman needed a change of scenery and threatened to retire unless he was traded to the Minnesota Twins. As it turned out, home cooking was exactly what the doctor ordered. In 1979, a rejuvenated Koosman went 20-13 with a 3.38 in 37 appearances (36 starts with 10 complete games and a pair of shutouts). Koosman finished sixth in AL Cy Young balloting. He would follow that up with a 16-win campaign in 1980.

By 1981, Koosman would have a falling out with the Twins as he was the team's player rep during that year's players' strike. After the strike ended, Twins owner Calvin Griffith traded Koosman to the Chicago White Sox for virtually nothing in return. Koosman's 13 losses were enough to be AL leader in that unfortunate category.

The trade which saw Koosman go to Minnesota would have long term implications for the Mets as one of the players acquired in that deal was a young Jesse Orosco who nearly 8 years later would be on the mound to get the final out for the 1986 World Series championship team. Orosco would have a distinguished 24-year MLB career and leads pitchers in all-time appearances with 1252.

Koosman would spend 1982 and 1983 as Tony LaRussa's swing man for the Chisox. He would taste post-season glory for the last time in 1983 when the White Sox won the AL West. Unfortunately, in his only appearance in Game 3 of the ALCS he would give up two runs in only a third of an inning against the eventual World Series champion Baltimore Orioles.

Koosman's final big-league stop was with the Philadelphia Phillies where he pitched in 1984 and 1985. Although now over 40, Koosman had a serviceable season in 1984 going 14-15 with a 3.25 ERA logging 224 innings in 36 appearances (including 34 starts and even managed 3 complete games). 

In 19 MLB seasons, Koosman went 222-209 with a 3.36 ERA in 612 appearances (including 527 starts). In 3839.1 innings pitched, Koosman struck out 2556 batters, recorded 140 complete games with 33 of them resulting in shutouts. 

Koosman is the greatest left-handed pitcher in New York Mets history. His 140 wins in a Mets uniform is still 3rd best in franchise history behind only Dwight Gooden (157) and Tom Seaver (198). Koosman is also 3rd in strikeouts in Mets history with 1799 behind both Gooden (1875) and Seaver (2541). Koosman's 26 shutouts with the Mets are tied for second with Jon Matlack with Seaver on top with 44.

Koosman is also among the greatest southpaws in MLB history. His 222 wins is 19th in MLB history, one behind future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw. Koosman's 2556 career strikeouts ranks him 12th among lefty pitchers. 

Unfortunately, Koosman would get on the wrong side of the law when he spent time in federal prison for tax evasion in 2009 and 2010. He would admit that he was "suckered" in by anti-tax rhetoric and would pay the price for it.

However, one bad act does not negate a good career and an otherwise good life. Jerry Koosman will forever be part of New York Mets lore. R.I.P.